Galatasaray's Congolese defender Christian Luyindama celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Galatasaray and Benfica at the Turk Telekom stadium, in Istanbul, on February 14, 2019. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

According to a recent report by Turkish news source Fotomac, Congolese international centre-half Christian Luyindama has been linked with a potential switch to Premier League outfit Aston Villa in the summer. It has been suggested that Christian Luyindama wants to join Aston Villa and that he was even close to a move to England during the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old suffered an unfortunate knee ligament injury in November, which has kept him out of action for most of the season. Now back to full fitness and seemingly raring to go, it’s not overly surprising that the Congolese international is keen to take a big step-up in his career by finding a switch to the Premier League. It has been suggested that Galatasaray are looking to offer Luyindama a new contract, but the defender is said to have his heart set on Aston Villa, in a deal that would cost Dean Smith’s side in the region of £11m.

What Is Aston Villa’s Current Defensive Situation?

Dean Smith’s Aston Villa side haven’t been the strongest team in the league this season by any stretch of the imagination. While their league position has been a clear indicator of their performance levels, one thing they did have going for them was defending. In the form of Tyrone Mings, Bjorn Engels, Kortney Hayes and Ezri Konsa, Aston Villa have four quality centre-half options already available, meaning that the addition of another would likely force one of the names mentioned above out of the side.

Tyrone Mings was undoubtedly one of the standout defenders of the entire league season, as he kept the Villans in the race for three points across multiple matches using his physical strength and ability to read the opposition’s attacking play. In Engels and Hause, Dean Smith also has two centre-halves who have the potential to be the first-choice at a club like Villa for a long time to come. Ezri Konsa is still only 22, meaning that the Englishman’s scope for development is quite high.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – OCTOBER 01: Christian Luyindama of Galatasaray in action during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain at Turk Telekom Arena on October 01, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

What Would Luyindama Add To This Aston Villa Side?

The big Congolese international has been in and around the European football scene for a few years now, and it’s safe to say that he’s proven his worth at the back over the last couple of seasons. Having moved to Galatasaray in the summer on the back of a six-month loan deal, Luyindama’s injury has forced him to struggle for form this time around. Tall and physically strong, Luyindama has the right attributes to excel in the gritty nature of Premier League football.

The Villans have had multiple telling issues within the squad over the course of the season, but the most prominent area for concern is undoubtedly in the attack. Despite the summer signing of Mbwana Samatta, there is an evident lack of pace and creativity in this Villa front-line.

Expecting Jack Grealish to do all the creative work on his own is beyond far-fetched, meaning that the addition of another winger or creative midfielder would be the ideal transfer at this point. With four quality defenders already at Dean Smith’s disposal, spending more valuable money on a man who’s never played in England before would be nothing short of asking for trouble.

Nikhil has been an avid Chelsea fan for as long as the concept of time has existed and rumours say that he even bleeds blue.

Having lived in the UK for 3 years, Nikhil is said to have an excellent understanding of the atmosphere surrounding the English game. His role model is the greatest manager of all time - Jose Mourinho.

Nikhil has been an avid Chelsea fan for as long as the concept of time has existed and rumours say that he even bleeds blue.
Having lived in the UK for 3 years, Nikhil is said to have an excellent understanding of the atmosphere surrounding the English game. His role model is the greatest manager of all time - Jose Mourinho.

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